Curnonsky

Maurice-Edmond SAILLAND
Pseudonym: Curnonsky, famous as the Prince of Gastronomy.

Born in Angers, France in 1872.
Graduated from the Saint-Morille school in Angers and majored in literature in Paris.

In an era of prosperity for literature and journalism, Curnonsky met several people who became his
inspiration for his work and his life. Louis Pasteur, a biochemist, Émile
François Zola, Alphonse Allais, Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette and Henry
Gauthier-Villars
who were writers.

He was active as a journalist of Le Journal and Le Matin from 1900 to 1925.

Curnonsky published many novels and gastronomic books. He wrote "Atlas de Gastronomy
Française" in 1938,
"L'Infortune du pot" in 1946, "Cuisine et Vins de France" in 1953, and 28 volumes of “Gastronomie
Française”. He also wrote a total of 6 drama pieces.

In 1907, he acquired the position of advisor at Michelin and was charged with
editing of the driver’s guide. It is the very same Michelin guide, which is now
very well known all over the world. Curnonsky was a leading figure in
combining travel with gastronomy.

He coined the name Bibendum for the Michelin man and wrote Michelin’s weekly
column “Les Lundis de Michelin” in Le Journal and wrote columns in La Vie
Parisienne.
He also used Bibendum as his Pseudonym.

In 1922, he traveled all over France, from one town to another to experience
French local gastronomy. These experiences are what drove him to write about
gastronomy. Curnonsky wrote as many as 65 books over a period of 10 years.

In 1923, a movement called “The Ninth Art” was born among the members of Salon
d’Automne. Curnonsky used to organize dinners for the members of
Salon d’Automne.

On May 16th 1927, Curnonsky was elected as the Prince of Gastronomy at an
election which was held by the French newspaper “Paris Soir”.

To respect and admire the achievements of Curnonsky, Maurice Sailland,
“Les Amis de Curnonsky” was established by the auspices of the Academy of Gastronomy. The first two
chairmen were respectively, Vincent Presle and André Purina.

Since 1985 Michel Sy, the honorary director of the National Center for Scientific Research and a former member of the National
Diet is the current chairman.

In 1928, he was honored with the title “King of Gastronomy”, and in the same year established the
Academy of Gastronomy in Paris. He became quite famous for someone who originated a guide book and
wrote newspaper articles about gastronomy.

In 1952, to honor his 80th birthday, 80 famous restaurants marked his favorite table with a copper
plaque, reading:
“This table is reserved for Curnonsky, Maurice Edmond Sailland, a prince of gastronomy, a champion and an
expressive person of French cuisine and an honorary guest of this restaurant.”

On July 22nd 1956, when Curnonsky was 84 years old,
he passed away while in Paris.

To respect and admire the achievements of Curnonsky, Maurice Sailland, “Les Amis de Curnonsky” was
established by the auspices of the Academy of Gastronomy. The first two chairmen were respectively,
Vincent Presle and André Purina. Since 1985 Michel Sy, the honorary director of the National Center for
Scientific Research and a former member of the National Diet is the current chairman.

In Paris’s 17th arrondissement, there is a street called “Curnonsky Street”. On March
24th 1994, the “Curnonsky Museum” was opened inside of a hotel school in Saumur, France.